Punjab Vigilance Bureau awaits approval to prosecute 5 former ministers

Chargesheets of former deputy chief minister OP Sonia, former ministers Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sangat Singh Gilzian and Sunder Sham Arora are pending before the governor or the government on various counts.

A VB official, who wished to remain anonymous, said they had already filed the indictments with the court and that the trial would begin after receiving the governor’s approval.

Former Dharamsot minister, a senior Congress party leader, has been charged for allegedly misappropriating funds meant for scholarships for scheduled caste students, and is facing another case against him in a corruption case in the forest department, apart from a case of disproportionate assets.

Former minister Gilzian was charged with irregularities in the felling of trees and the purchase of tree covers, while former deputy prime minister Soni was accused of disproportionate use of property.

Bharat Bhushan Ashu, another former minister, is facing two FIRs for his alleged involvement in the transportation of grains, which the VB says is an act of corruption. Besides, he is also facing another FIR for irregularities in issuing tenders.

Finally, Sunder Sham Arora, a former minister, is facing trial for his alleged role in allocating industrial plots. VB’s accusations include claims of manipulating the allocation process to benefit certain companies in exchange for bribes.

“The vigilance bureau has collected extensive evidence in these cases, but the ability to proceed with the proceedings now depends on receiving formal approval from the Punjab governor, who is the competent authority in this matter to issue approval,” said a VB official, who requested anonymity.

The Punjab government has given permission under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act to conduct an inquiry into the cases of former ministers, but for initiating criminal proceedings, the consent of the appointing authority, which in the case of ministers is the Governor, is required.

“The files of Dharamsot and Arora, after preliminary preparation, have been sent to the Punjab Governor and hopefully a decision will be taken in the next few days. The remaining files are being processed and will be handed over to the Governor soon,” said an official from the Chief Minister’s office, requesting anonymity.

In the case of MPs, for which the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha is the sanctioning authority, the government has already given consent to prosecute sitting MP Amit Rattan and former MPs Kushaldeep Dhillon and Satkar Kaur.